JERUSALEM, May 19 (Xinhua/GNA) — The United States and Israel have completed joint preparations for a possible resumption of military operations against Iran, Israel’s Kan TV reported Tuesday, citing a U.S. security official.
U.S. President Donald Trump is expected to make a decision “soon,” the official said. Earlier Tuesday, Trump said the United States might need to strike Iran again after claiming he had postponed a planned attack.
“The United States and Israel are fully coordinated. Neither side will be surprised if a decision is made to resume the war,” the official was quoted as saying.
According to the report, the Israeli military is also bolstering defensive measures amid concerns that Trump’s remarks and growing public discussion of renewed fighting could prompt Iran to launch a preemptive attack.
There was no immediate comment from the Israeli government on the possibility of renewed military action against Iran.
Despite the reports, Israel’s Home Front Command said that, “following a situational assessment,” its defensive guidelines would remain unchanged and remain in effect at least through Saturday night.
Also Tuesday, the Israeli military said a major was killed in clashes with Hezbollah fighters in southern Lebanon.
The officer was identified as Itamar Sapir, 27, a reserve deputy company commander from the West Bank settlement of Ariel. The military said he “fell in combat in southern Lebanon.”
He was the 21st Israeli soldier killed in Lebanon since fighting resumed in early March.
GNA